DREAM OF THE SHADOW

CHAPTER 72

Shua doesn't usually ask Yuna to pick her up at the airport. Usually the man asks for a driver at his house or even just take a taxi. Be now Yuna sits behind her wheel while waiting for a phone call if Shua is already at the exit of the domestic arrival. After waiting twenty minutes Shua called him to inform him that he was already outside.

Shua came in after stuffing the backpack and milk pie in the middle seat. He takes over the wheel after asking Yuna to move the seat to the left. Just walking for a while, Shua stopped her car.

"Why?" yuna asked confusedly. Shua did not answer. He turned towards Yuna and hugged her tightly. Yuna was still confused but she returned her embrace.

"What's wrong with you, honey? Is something going on?" Yuna rubbed gently on Shua's back which she felt was shaking.

"No. Missing you. I don't think I can take long from you now. Being away from you makes me unable to think sanely. Come home, I have to meet my in-laws" Shua said as she let go of her embrace. He was very disturbed by his meeting with Dylan yesterday. Not knowing why, Shua felt that there was a seriousness every time Dylan mentioned Yuna's name. And it bothers him a lot. It felt like he asked Yuna not to be friends with the man, but the logic was asking her to behave like a grown man.

At Yuna's house, her parents were already waiting for the arrival of her favorite daughter-in-law. Rossa bought some side dishes and food as she was still tired of cooking. Kenichi first welcomes Shua and invites her to speak four eyes on the back porch of the house while drinking the warm tea and milk pie he just received.

"Om sorry about what happened to your sister." Ken's opening sentence signifies that Yuna has already told Vanya what happened.

"Thank you, Om."

"Om want to ask, is the matter of Vanya is your wife and Yuna is your mistress have you clarified to reporters?" That question made Shua quite surprised.

"not Om. Shua thought the news had disappeared by now."

"You don't think what if the reporter finds out you're married? How did Yuna feel when that arrived? Om doesn't want to push you. Om knows your intentions are good to Yuna. It's just that Yuna never asked us anything, or even complained though. But as his father, Om desperately wants to protect him from whatever it is."

"Shua understands Om. Shua thought the word Om had a point. Everything will be done by Shua. Om and Aunt just calm down, Shua won't let Yuna suffer anymore." Kenichi nodded as he sipped his jasmine tea.

"The milk pie is good, thank you." Ken's remark made Shua laugh calmly. But in his heart he began to wonder what to do to fulfill his promise to Ken.

*****

Yuna and her mother were lying in pajamas. I don't know why Rossa would want to sleep hugging her only daughter tonight. He stroked and kissed Yuna's hair.

"You remember when mom kissed your head the most from childhood? Until now your fragrance has not changed even though it has changed shampoo."

"Remember, Ma. Mama can't let Yuna go if Mama hasn't finished kissing Yuna's head."

"Yuna, are you and Shua round about taking care of Jovan?"

"Yes, why Ma? Mama doesn't agree?" ask Yuna. He slightly straightened his body when he felt that the topic of conversation had become serious.

"Mama did not agree. Mama just reminded, when you have decided to adopt Jovan, Mama does not want you to just take care of her. You have to give all your love like taking care of your own biological children. Yuna's responsibility is great. If you can't, you better not start." Rossa said.

"Yes Ma, Yuna knows. But Yuna really wanted to take care of Jovan, and so did Shua. There is no doubt about that. Even the letters are complete, just attach our marriage certificate."

*****

"I, Joshua Austin William, chose you Yuna Sakura to be my wife. I pledge my allegiance to you in good fortune and misery, in good health and in sickness. To love one another and cherish thee until death do us part."

"Now, you may kiss the bride" said Father Ryan, smiling at the two of them.

Shua turned her head towards Yuna, opened her veil and looked into her eyes. Yuna's beautiful smile made her unable to resist her desire to kiss the woman any longer. He kissed Yuna's lips slowly and then moved to her forehead. The sound of confetti added to the festivity that afternoon. The clear sky bears witness to Shua and Yuna's marriage. But not with Dylan. His gray heart was not as bright as the blue sky. He clapped his hands and laughed with Mario at his side. It was quite difficult for him to put up a poker face to represent the end of his love journey.

"Be patient, brother, I know it's heavy. But if you love her, it means you have to be ready to do anything for her happiness, including letting her go and choosing the man she loves." said Mario while patting Dylan's shoulder before he finally got a hard beat on his head.

"Our!!!" mario shouted away from his heartbroken brother.

Mario overhears a conversation Dylan and Shua had on a beach club night a week ago. He pretended not to hear anything. The atmosphere must have been awkward if Shua knew she knew it. After he escorted Shua to the airport, Mario immediately searched for Dylan.

"Sister, the woman you told me about was Yuna? Shua's wife?"

"Wife candidate."

"Whateverb. Their wedding's in a week."

"I know."

"Don't ruin their relationship, brother."

"Well, you said I had to fight for love." Dylan said casually while checking some documents in his study.

"I didn't know at the time that she was getting married."

"You said that because you knew she was Yuna. You prefer your best friend to me?" Dylan looked sharply at Mario.

"I don't have to choose anyone, it has nothing to do with me. It's just that I don't want my brother to be the destroyer of other people's relationships." said Mario seriously.

"Of course I'm not a destroyer or a usurper, take it easy. Don't be so serious, hahaha...You know me, right, Mario? I've never been down because of a woman. Ok?" dylan said, laughing at his sister's behavior.

Mario, who believed Dylan's words, immediately thought the matter was over. To this day he saw a suspicious smile as his brother clapped his hands to see the blessings of Shua and Yuna's marriage go well.

*****